Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/155

 Meditations. 69

��LXVIII.

'TnHE gifts that God beftows on the Ions of men, are "^ not only abiifed, but moft Commonly imployed for a Clean Contrary end, then that which they were giuen for, as health, wealth, and honour, which might be fo many fteps to draw men to God in conlideration of his bounty towards them, but haue driuen them the further from him, that they are ready to fay, we are lords, we will come no more at thee. If outward bleffings be not as wings to help vs mount vpwards, they will Certainly proue Clogs and waights that will pull vs lower downward.

LXIX.

A LL the Comforts of this life may be compared to ^ ^ the gourd of Jonah, that notwithftanding we take great delight for a feafon in them, and hnd their fhadow very comfortable, yet there is fome worm or other of difcontent, of feare, or greife that lyes at the root, which in great part withers the pleafure which elfe we fhould take in them; and well it is that we perceiue a decay in their greennes, for were earthly comforts permanent, who would look for heauenly?

LXX.

A LL men arc truly fayd to be tenants at will, and ■^ ^ it may as truly be fayd, that all haue a leafe of their Hues, — fome longer, fome lliorter, — as it pleafes

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